But it was a dull game, the more so since their complete defeat was thus all the more plainly indicated.
This defeat, as Cowperwood kept reflecting, was really not his fault at all.

He had been getting along well enough personally.

If Aileen had only been a somewhat different type of woman! Nevertheless, he was in no way prepared to desert or reproach her.

She had clung to him through his stormy prison days.

She had encouraged him when he needed encouragement.